Federal Court Ruling Finds Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban Unconstitutional

A federal judge in East St. Louis recently ruled that the state's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional.

In 2023, Illinois enacted a ban on the sale and possession of certain semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines. The legislation faced immediate legal challenges, with gun owners and gun rights advocacy groups arguing it infringed on constitutional rights. On November 8, Judge Stephen P. McGlynn ruled the state’s ban unconstitutional, granting an injunction to plaintiffs.

The judge stayed the injunction for 30 days, and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed an appeal that same night.

“This ruling is a win for our law-abiding gun owners and a victory in defense of our Second Amendment rights. Since this ban was enacted, we’ve recognized this overreaching law for what it is—a direct violation of the rights of gun owners. This decision is a positive step toward affirming that the government cannot and should not be allowed to arbitrarily strip citizens of their rights without cause, and I hope this sends a clear message that we must address the true causes of violence rather than punishing law-abiding citizens.”

Senator Fowler expressed hope that, rather than restricting rights, this ruling will refocus efforts on tackling the root causes of violence, emphasizing stricter enforcement against illegal gun possession and enhanced mental health support.

Click here to access the official injunction ruling.

Each year, Carrier Mills Stonefort Elementary School hosts a special Veterans Day celebration to honor the brave veterans in our community. Senator Fowler had the privilege of stopping by during the barbecue luncheon, generously sponsored by First Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, and Stonefort Missionary Baptist Church. He expressed what an honor it was to shake hands with so many of our local heroes. The Carrier Mills Stonefort Jr. High Student Council did an outstanding job serving.

Sen. Fowler was honored to be invited to speak at a Veterans Day ceremony at West Frankfort Military Museum. It was a beautiful day for this crowd to gather and honor our brave heroes. Once an old train depot that President Harry Truman visited in 1948, this museum is now the home to a huge collection of local military memorabilia. 

Lawmakers returned the Capitol on November 12 for the start of fall Veto Session. Senator Fowler spent his time on the Floor and attending committees while at the State Capitol. One such meeting included coming together with the members of the Children's Health Caucus. Senator Fowler currently serves as the co-chair of the Caucus and helped lead the discussion on access to oral healthcare for Illinois  children. The group explored the challenges and opportunities Illinoisans face and identified potential avenues for improvement.